Abbas’ advisor mocks US aid: “What idiocy has taken control of your minds to delude you that Jerusalem is for sale”

Supreme Shari’ah Judge and Mahmoud Abbas’ advisor on Religious and Islamic Affairs Mahmoud Al-Habbash: "Do what you want, do what you want. This money that you are threatening to cancel and stop - do you imagine that we might bargain over Jerusalem? What idiocy has taken control of your minds to delude you that Jerusalem is for sale, or that one grain of sand from Palestine, all of Palestine, is for sale, or purchase, or bargaining?"

Abbas’ advisor’s statement came in response to US President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital on Dec. 6, 2017 and his following threat to cancel aid to UNRWA, the PA and countries voting in favor of UN condemnation of the American recognition. Trump instructed the State Department to begin preparations to transfer the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He added that the final borders of Jerusalem will be determined during negotiations.

On Dec. 21, 2017, the UN General Assembly held a vote on a resolution condemning US President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. 128 countries voted in favor of the condemnation, 9 voted against it, 35 abstained, and 21 did not participate in the vote.

Al-Habbash is Mahmoud Abbas’ advisor on Religious and Islamic Affairs, Supreme Shari'ah Judge, and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Shari'ah Justice.